Method, system, and computer program product for storing light distributions of a matrix headlight system

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for storing light distributions of a matrix headlight system. The method includes loading, from a memory, first control data for lighting means of a first matrix light module for generating a first light distribution; feeding the first control data to a comparison module; loading, from the memory, second control data for the lighting means of the first matrix light module or for lighting means of a second matrix light module for generating a second light distribution and feeding the second control data to a comparison module. The method compares the first and second control data; stores the first control data for the first light distribution if there is a similarity or equality between the first and second control data; and linking the second control data for the second light distribution by means of a link to the control data for the first light distribution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on German Patent Application No 10 2021123 597.9 filed Sep. 13, 2021, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention. The invention relates to a method, system, andcomputer program product for storing light distributions of a matrixheadlight system.

Related Art Matrix headlight systems typically comprise two matrixheadlights or matrix light modules and are used increasingly for motorvehicles. These matrix headlights include lighting elements, as lightsources, arranged in the shape of a matrix to define a lighting matrix.The individual lighting elements are selectively activatable,deactivatable and adjustable with regard to their light intensity. Thus,the lighting matrix enables very different illumination functions to beimplemented. Such an illumination function is, for example, a glare-freehigh-beam function to avoid blinding oncoming road users with anactivated high beam. Another illumination function relates to theparticular light conditions in the city or on the highway.

The control data for the light distributions of a high-resolutionheadlight are created in a vehicle-specific manner and stored in amemory unit or a control unit at the end of the production of the motorvehicle. Each control unit typically includes a flash memory for loadingand storing the data. The process of loading new software into a controlunit is referred to as flashing, and the software loaded into thecontrol unit is referred to as flashware.

Light distributions of the matrix headlight system usually are storedwith up to 84 pixels and with a depth resolution of 6 bits, i.e., 0 to63 gray levels. This means that a memory space of 1.2 Kbyte in the flashmemory of the control unit of a vehicle is required for 10 lightdistributions of a matrix headlight system. In the case ofhigh-resolution headlight systems with, for example, 65536 pixels and aresolution of 8 bits, i.e., 0 to 255 gray levels, data sizes of 1300Kbyte for 10 light distributions for a motor vehicle result. However,this increases the flash times and required memory space of the flashmemory. It is therefore desirable to reduce the amount of data. However,traditional compression methods are not possible due to legalrequirements regarding the light values.

DE 10 2018 101 047 A1 describes a matrix headlight system and a methodfor correcting pixel trajectories for a trajectory-based allocation ofcharacteristic features of a pattern projection of the matrix headlightsystem to headlight segments of the matrix headlight system.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,878,735 B2 describes lighting modules that emitsegmented light beams and are controlled by a common processor having asingle video output interface.

DE10 2012 112 690 A1 discloses a method for representing a lightintensity distribution of a light source to be tested.

DE 10 2010 033 351 A1 discloses a system for controlling a headlight ofa motor vehicle for the segment-wise illumination of an illuminationrange.

DE 10 2018 103 487 B4 discloses a method for operating an illuminationapparatus with a headlight for a motor vehicle. The headlight has anoverall light distribution consisting of plural light distributions.With the aid of an algorithm, the overall light distribution isgenerated as a function of a desired light distribution and a targetapparatus of the headlight.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,732,927 B2 discloses a method for calibrating anillumination apparatus that has plural lighting means as light sources,each generating an individual light distribution.

US 2008/0195276 A1 discloses an image array sensor comprising aplurality of pixels and an analog-to-digital converter for quantizingthe signals of the pixels into a digital value.

A task of the present invention is therefore to create a method, system,and computer program product for storing light distributions of a matrixheadlight system, characterized by efficient use of memory capacitiesand by short flash times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method forstoring light distributions of a matrix headlight system. The matrixheadlight system includes at least a first matrix light module, acontrol module, and a memory unit. The matrix light module includeslighting elements arranged in the shape of a matrix and respectivelyemitting light with an adjustable light distribution, and controlelements individually adjust the radiated light intensity, the radiationdirection, and/or the focus of the light distribution of the respectivelighting element. The method includes the following method steps:

-   -   loading, from a memory unit, first control data for lighting        means of the first matrix light module for generating a first        light distribution for a specific illumination function;    -   feeding the first control data for the lighting means of the        first matrix light module to a comparison module;    -   loading, from the memory unit, second control data for the        lighting means of the first matrix headlight or for lighting        means of a second matrix light module for generating a second        light distribution for a specific illumination function;    -   feeding the second control data for the lighting means of the        first matrix light module or for the lighting means of the        second matrix light module to the comparison module;    -   comparing the first control data for the lighting means of the        first matrix light module and the second control data for the        lighting means of the first matrix light module or for the        lighting means of the second matrix light module with one        another to determine whether there is a similarity or equality        between the first control data and the second control data;    -   storing the first control data for the first light distribution        or the second control data for the second light distribution if        there is a similarity or equality between the first control data        for the first light distribution and the second control data for        the second light distribution;    -   linking the second control data for the second light        distribution by means of a link to the control data for the        first light distribution, or linking the first control data for        the first light distribution by means of a link to the second        control data for the second light distribution.

In one embodiment, the illumination function is a low beam or high beamor city beam or highway beam or country road beam.

In some embodiments, the file size of the stored control data for alight distribution includes at least 65536 pixels with a depthresolution of 8 bits, i.e., 0-255 gray levels.

The comparison of the first control data with the second control datatakes place pixel by pixel in accordance with some aspects of thisdisclosure.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system forstoring light distributions of a matrix headlight system. The matrixheadlight system includes at least a first matrix light module, acontrol module, and a memory unit. The matrix light module includeslighting elements arranged in the shape of a matrix and capablerespectively of emitting light with an adjustable light distribution.The matrix light module further includes control elements forindividually adjusting the radiated light intensity, the radiationdirection, and/or the focus of the light distribution of the respectivelighting element. The system is designed to carry out the followingmethod steps:

-   -   loading, from the memory unit, first control data for lighting        means of the first matrix light module for generating a first        light distribution for a specific illumination function;    -   feeding the first control data for the lighting means of the        first matrix light module to a comparison module;    -   loading, from the memory unit, second control data for the        lighting means of the first matrix light module or for lighting        means of a second matrix light module for generating a second        light distribution for a specific illumination function;    -   feeding the second control data for the lighting means of the        first matrix light module or for the lighting means of the        second matrix light module to the comparison module;    -   comparing the first control data for the lighting means of the        first matrix light module and the second control data for the        lighting means of the first matrix light module or for the        lighting means of the second matrix light module with one        another in order to determine whether there is a similarity or        equality between the first control data and the second control        data;    -   storing the first control data for the first light distribution        or the second control data for the second light distribution if        there is a similarity or equality between the first control data        for the first light distribution and the second control data for        the second light distribution;    -   linking the second control data for the second light        distribution by means of a link to the control data for the        first light distribution, or linking the first control data for        the first light distribution by means of a link to the second        control data for the second light distribution.

The illumination function may be a low beam or high beam or city beam orhighway beam or country road beam.

In some embodiments, the file size of the stored control data for alight distribution includes at least 65536 pixels with a depthresolution of 8 bits, i.e., 0-255 gray levels.

The comparison of the first control data with the second control datatakes place pixel by pixel in some embodiments.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program productincluding an executable program code configured to carry out the methodaccording to the first aspect.

The invention is explained in further detail below on the basis of anexemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system according to theinvention for storing light distributions of a matrix headlight system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the storing of control data forlight distributions of a matrix headlight system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the storing control data forlight distributions of a matrix headlight system according to theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the individual method steps of amethod according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a computer program product according to one embodiment ofthe third aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the elements shown in the figures may beimplemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinationsthereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in a combination ofhardware and software on one or more appropriately programmedgeneral-purpose devices, which may include a processor, memory andinput/output interfaces. Herein, the phrase “coupled” is defined to meandirectly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or moreintermediate components. Such intermediate components may include bothhardware and software-based components.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the blockdiagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrativecircuitry embodying the principles of the disclosure. Similarly, it willbe appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transitiondiagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which maybe substantially represented in computer readable media and so executedby a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor isexplicitly shown.

FIG. 1 shows the system 100 according to the invention for storing lightdistributions of a matrix headlight system 10. The matrix headlightsystem 10 includes at least a first matrix light module 12. Furthermore,a second matrix light module 14 may be provided. The matrix lightmodules 12, 14 have lighting elements 17 that respectively emit lightwith an adjustable light distribution. The lighting elements 17 arelight-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in the shape of a matrix. Eachlighting element 17 is connected to a control element 19 that isoperative to adjust the radiated light intensity, the radiationdirection, and/or the focus of the light distribution. Each lightingelement 17 can thus be individually adjusted with regard to its lightdistribution. The superimposition of the individual light distributionsemanating from the individual lighting elements 17 results in a firstlight distribution 22 for the first matrix light module 12 and a secondlight distribution 24 for the second matrix light module 14.

The control elements 19 are in turn controlled by means of control dataSD by a control module 30 to generate a desired light distribution 22,24 for a specific traffic and environmental situation, such as anillumination function for parking beam, low beam, city beam, highwaybeam, or high beam. The control module 30 is equipped with a processor35 for performing control operations for generating an illuminationfunction and with a memory unit 40 for storing the control data SD forthe various light distributions. In particular, by means of automaticdriving functions, which are, for example, stored as softwareapplications in the processor 35, it can be recognized which lightdistribution 22, 24 and thus illumination function is to be adjusted fora specific environmental situation.

The control data SD for the individual control elements 19 of thelighting elements 17 are stored in the memory unit 40 30. When aspecific illumination function is to be activated, the control module 30loads, from the memory unit 40, first control data SD1 stored thereinfor the various lighting elements 17 of the first matrix light module 12for generating the first light distribution 22 as well as second controldata SD2 for the various lighting elements 17 of the second matrix lightmodule 14 for generating the second light distribution 24 in relation tothe respectively desired illumination function. The control module 30uses the control data SD1, SD2 for controlling the control elements 19of the lighting elements 17. However, the second light distribution 24may also be a light distribution of the first matrix light module 12that is controlled with other control data SD in comparison with thefirst light distribution 22.

A “processor” may be understood in connection with the invention to meana machine or electronic circuitry or a high-performance computer, forexample. In particular, a processor may be a master processor (centralprocessing unit (CPU)), a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, forexample an application-specific integrated circuit or a digital signalprocessor, optionally in combination with a memory unit for storingprogram instructions, etc. A processor may also be understood to mean avirtualized processor, a virtual machine, or a soft CPU. For example, itmay also be a programmable processor equipped with configuration stepsfor carrying out the above-mentioned method according to the inventionor configured with configuration steps in such a way that theprogrammable processor realizes the features according to the inventionof the method, the component, the modules, or other aspects and/orpartial aspects of the invention. In addition, highly parallel computingunits and high-performance graphics modules may be provided.

A “memory unit” or “memory module” and the like may, for example, beunderstood in connection with the invention to mean a non-volatilememory in the form of a flash memory (Flash EEPROM) or a permanentmemory, such as a hard drive.

A “module” may, for example, be understood in connection with theinvention to mean a processor and/or a memory unit for storing programinstructions. For example, the processor is specifically configured toexecute the program instructions in such a way that the processorexecutes functions in order to implement or realize the method accordingto the invention or a step of the method according to the invention.

Usually, control data SD1, SD2 are stored for up to 84 lighting elements17 or pixels and with a depth resolution of 6 bits, i.e., of up to 0-63gray levels, for generating a light distribution 22, 24. This means thatfor ten light distributions 22, 24 of a matrix headlight system 10 withtwo matrix light modules 12, 14 for various illumination functions, amemory space of 1.2 Kbyte is required for storing the control data SD1,SD2 in the memory unit 40 designed as a flash memory, for example.

However, for high-resolution matrix headlight systems 10 that can adaptto environmental characteristics precisely and automatically by means ofautomatic driving functions, a significantly higher data volume results.For generating a light distribution 22, 24 of a high-resolution matrixheadlight system 10, control data SD1, SD2 for 65536 lighting elements17 or pixels and with a depth resolution of 8 bits, i.e., up to 255 graylevels, are required, for example. This results in a data size of 1300Kbyte for a motor vehicle for ten light distributions 22, 24 of a matrixheadlight system 10 with two matrix light modules 12, 14. However, thisincreases the required memory space of the flash memory 40 and the flashtimes for loading the control data SD1, SD2 for the respective lightdistribution 22, 24 for a desired illumination function.

However, for specific illumination functions in symmetrically designedmatrix headlight systems 10, the light distribution 22 of the firstmatrix light module 12 and the light distribution 24 of the secondmatrix light module 14 are equal or identical, as shown in FIG. 2 . Onthe left side of FIG. 2 , the light distribution 22 of the first matrixlight module 12 and the light distribution 24 of the matrix light module14 are depicted schematically, while on the right side, the associatedcontrol data SD1, SD2 for the gray values of some of the individuallighting elements 17 or pixels for generating the respective lightdistribution 22, 24 are represented in a decimal representation, forexample the values 010, 080, 150, etc. As can be seen in FIG. 2 , therepresentations of the first light distribution 22 and of the secondlight distribution 24 are identical. Such an equality of the lightdistributions 22, 24 results primarily for low beam, high beam, citybeam, or highway beam.

FIG. 3 shows that, if the first light distribution 22 for the firstmatrix light module 12 is equal or similar to the second lightdistribution 24 for the second matrix light module 14, a changed storingof the control data SD1, SD2 for the first light distribution 22 and thesecond light distribution 24 is performed. For this purpose, the firstand second control data SD1, SD2 of the two light distributions 22, 24are fed to a comparison module 70, which is shown in FIG. 1 . In thecomparison module 70, the first control data SD1 for the lightingelements 17 of the first matrix light module 12 for generating the firstlight distribution 22 and the second control data SD2 of thecorresponding lighting elements 17 of the second matrix light module 14for generating the second light distributions 24 are compared with oneanother pixel by pixel. If it is determined in the comparison that thefirst control data SD1 for the lighting elements 17 of the first matrixlight module 12 for generating the first light distribution 22 and thesecond control data SD2 for the corresponding lighting elements 17 ofthe second matrix light module 14 for generating the second lightdistributions 24 are equal or identical, only the first control data SD1for the first light distribution 22 are stored in the memory unit 40,while the second control data SD2 for the second light distribution 24are marked as equal or identical to the first control data SD1 forgenerating the first light distribution 22. However, it is also possiblefor the second control data SD2 for the second light distribution 24 tobe stored in the memory unit 40, while the first control data SD1 forthe first light distribution 22 are marked as equal or identical to thesecond control data SD2 for the second light distribution 24.

To retrieve the second control data SD2 for the second lightdistribution 24, a link is provided that refers to the first controldata SD1 for the first light distribution 22, or vice versa. In thisway, the memory requirement for storing the first and second controldata SD1, SD2 for the two light distributions 22, 24 can be reduced byhalf. While a memory space of 131 Kbyte is required for the first andsecond control data SD1, SD2, shown in FIG. 2 , for generating the twolight distributions 22, 24 with a number of 65536 lighting elements 17or pixels and a memory depth of 8 bits, storing the first and secondcontrol data SD1, SD2 for the two light distributions 22, 24 in FIG. 3only requires a memory space of 65.5 Kbyte. Thus, the memory spacerequired for the first and second control data SD1, SD2 forhigh-resolution light distributions 22, 24 can thereby be significantlyreduced.

A method for storing light distributions of a matrix headlight system 10comprising at least a first matrix light module 12 includes the stepsshown in FIG. 4 .

In a step S10, first control data SD1 for lighting means 17 of the firstmatrix light module 12 for generating a first light distribution 22 fora specific illumination function are loaded from a memory unit 40.

In a step S20, the first control data SD1 for the lighting means 17 ofthe first matrix light module 12 are fed to a comparison module 70.

In a step S30, second control data SD2 for the lighting means 17 of thefirst matrix light module 12 or for lighting means 17 of a second matrixlight module 14 for generating a second light distribution 24 for aspecific illumination function are loaded from a memory unit 40.

In a step S40, the second control data SD2 for the lighting means 17 ofthe first matrix light module or for the lighting means 17 of the secondmatrix light module 14 are fed to the comparison module 70.

In a step S50, the first control data SD1 for the lighting means 17 ofthe first matrix light module 12 and the second control data SD2 for thelighting means 17 of the first matrix light module 12 or for thelighting means 17 of the second matrix light module 14 are compared withone another pixel by pixel in order to determine whether there is asimilarity or equality between the first control data SD1 and the secondcontrol data SD2.

In a step S60, the first control data SD1 for the first lightdistribution 22 or the second control data SD2 for the second lightdistribution 24 are stored if there is a similarity or equality betweenthe first control data SD1 for the first light distribution 22 and thesecond control data SD2 for the second light distribution 24.

In a step S70, the second control data SD2 for the second lightdistribution 24 are linked by means of a link to the first control dataSD1 for the first light distribution 24, or the first control data SD1for the first light distribution 22 are linked by means of a link to thesecond control data SD2 for the second light distribution 24.

Thus, with the present invention, the required memory space in a memoryunit 40 of a vehicle for controlling light distributions 22, 24 ofhigh-resolution matrix headlight systems 10 can be significantlyreduced. In particular, the memory space can be reduced by half. Thismeans that the flash times for loading the control data SD1, D2 for thelighting elements 17 of the matrix headlight system 10 for generatingthe light distributions 22, 24 are reduced, whereby faster activation ofthe desired illumination function is made possible.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a computer program product 200including an executable program code 259 configured to carry out themethod according to the first aspect, as illustrated in the flow chartof FIG. 4 .

While non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations arepossible which remain within the concept and scope of the presentdisclosure. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skillin the art after inspection of the specification, drawings and claimsherein. The present disclosure therefore is not to be restricted exceptwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detaileddescription of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that thelegal scope of the present disclosure is defined by the words of theclaims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description isto be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternateembodiments, using either current technology or technology developedafter the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within thescope of the claims.

What it claims is:
 1. A method for storing light distributions of a matrix headlight system (10), the matrix headlight system (10) including at least a first matrix light module (12), a control module (30), and a memory unit (40), the matrix light module (12) including lighting elements (17) arranged in a shape of a matrix and respectively configured to emit light with an adjustable light distribution, and control elements (19) for individually adjusting the radiated light intensity, the radiation direction, and/or the focus of the light distribution of the respective lighting element (17), the method comprising: loading (S10), from the memory unit (40), first control data (SD1) for lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) for generating a first light distribution (22) for a specific illumination function; feeding (S20) the first control data (SD1) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) to a comparison module (70); loading (S30), from the memory unit (40), second control data (SD2) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) or for lighting means (17) of a second matrix light module (14) for generating a second light distribution (24) for a specific illumination function; feeding (S40) the second control data (SD2) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) or for the lighting means (17) of the second matrix light module (14) to the comparison module (70); comparing (S50) the first control data (SD1) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) and the second control data (SD2) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) or for the lighting means of the second matrix light module (14) with one another to determine whether there is a similarity or equality between the first control data (SD1) and the second control data (SD2); storing (S60) the first control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (22) or the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24) if there is a similarity or equality between the first control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (22) and the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24); linking (S70) the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24) to the control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (24), or linking the first control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (22) to the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24).
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the illumination function is a low beam or high beam or city beam or highway beam or country road beam.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a file size of the stored control data (SD1, SD2) for a light distribution (22, 24) includes at least 65536 pixels with a depth resolution of 8 bits to define 0-255 gray levels.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing the first control data (SD1) with the second control data (SD2) takes place pixel by pixel.
 5. A system (100) for storing light distributions of a matrix headlight system (10) that comprises at least a first matrix light module (12), a control module (30), and a memory unit (40), the matrix light module (12) including lighting elements (17) arranged in a shape of a matrix, the lighting elements (17) respectively being configured to emit light with an adjustable light distribution, the system (100) further comprising a plurality of control elements (19) for individually adjusting the radiated light intensity, the radiation direction, and/or the focus of the light distribution of the respective lighting element (17), wherein the system is designed to carry out the following method steps: loading (S10), from the memory unit (40), first control data (SD1) for lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) for generating a first light distribution (22) for a specific illumination function; feeding (S20) the first control data (SD1) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) to a comparison module (70); loading (S30), from the memory unit (40), second control data (SD2) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) or for lighting means (17) of a second matrix light module (14) for generating a second light distribution (24) for a specific illumination function; feeding (S40) the second control data (SD2) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) or for the lighting means (17) of the second matrix light module (14) to the comparison module (70); comparing (S50) the first control data (SD1) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module (12) and the second control data (SD2) for the lighting means (17) of the first matrix light module or for the lighting means (17) of the second matrix light module (14) with one another in order to determine whether there is a similarity or equality between the first control data (SD1) and the second control data (SD2); storing (S60) the first control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (22) or the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24) if there is a similarity or equality between the first control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (22) and the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24); linking (S70) the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24) by means of a link to the control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (24), or linking the first control data (SD1) for the first light distribution (22) by means of a link to the second control data (SD2) for the second light distribution (24).
 6. The system (100) of claim 5, wherein the illumination function is a low beam or high beam or city beam or highway beam or country road beam.
 7. The system (100) of claim 5, wherein a file size of the stored control data (SD1, SD2) for a light distribution (22, 24) includes at least 65536 pixels with a depth resolution of 8 bits to define 0-255 gray levels.
 8. The system (100) of claim 5, wherein the comparison of the first control data (SD1) with the second control data (SD2) takes place pixel by pixel.
 9. A computer program product (200) including an executable program code (250) configured to carry out the method of claim
 1. 